Obituary of Joanne L. Timmel

Joanne L. Timmel, long time resident of Bedford, NY, died Friday morning February 9, 2024. She was 79 years old.

Joanne was born on January 27, 1945, to Anthony and Emilia LoGrasso in Flushing, NY. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset, NY and Marymount College, formerly in Tarrytown, NY. When her two children were young, Joanne attended Western Connecticut State University where she received a Master of Science in Education. Later in her teaching career, she earned a PhD at Fordham University. Joanne was a passionate Mathematics teacher for over 30 years at North Salem High School where she served as Chair of the math department for many years. Her joy of teaching was well known- she never took a sick day and was famous for tap dancing on her desk when students did well.

To know Joanne was to love Joanne. This was due to her magnetic personality and way of making you feel important whenever she saw you. She was always ready with a joke, a gift in hand, and a story to share- these stories were also gifts, her gift of connection.

Joanne lived a life of service; she was through and through a helper. As an active parishioner of St Patrick’s of Bedford since 1972, she served as a catechist and on the linen ministry. As a neighbor, she never hesitated to lend a hand, whether it be to run an errand or help you at home. As a faithful friend, Joanne never missed a birthday or chance to listen in time of need. As a devoted daughter, Joanne took loving care of her parents when they were in their final years. As a loyal sister, Joanne never missed an important event, and included her only sister, Caryl, in everything she planned. Their performances of ‘Sisters’ from White Christmas were legendary.

As a loving wife of 29 years, Joanne supported and cared for her “King,” the “love of her life”, John, who predeceased her just 4 months ago. However, it was clear that she considered her most important service to be to her children and grandchildren who she never stopped worrying about, talking about, and sacrificing for. Joanne was the loving mother of Joanne Christa Costantini and Caryl-Lyn Slane (predeceased in 2001) and stepmother to Carol Ann (Witschi), John Jr., and Christopher. She was a beloved “little Nanny” to her 8 grandchildren, and is deeply missed by her many nieces and nephews. She just made the world a better place.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, February 17th at St. Patrick's RC Church in Bedford, 7 Pound Ridge Rd, 10506. Joanne was buried at Cemetery of the Holy Rood, in Westbury, New York presided over by her brother-in-law, Deacon William Timmel.

Memorial contributions may be made to any of the following organizations: American Heart Association (heart.org); Tunnels to Towers Foundation (t2t.org) or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).